plate no. 5910

Over the Dniester River

Margit Selska, 1977

oilPost-Impressionismlandscaperiverlandscapehillstreesskyflowers

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in layering colors to create depth and using visible brushstrokes to add texture and movement. It also provides practice in simplifying complex landscapes into basic shapes and forms.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 8 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, focusing on the horizon line, river flow, and placement of major elements.
step 02
Block in the sky and river with thin washes of color, establishing the overall tone.
step 03
Add the distant hills and fields, using darker greens and browns for the hills and yellows/oranges for the fields.
step 04
Develop the foreground with more detailed brushwork, focusing on the trees and flowers.
step 05
Layer colors to create depth and texture in the foliage and ground.
step 06
Add highlights and shadows to define the forms and create a sense of light.
step 07
Refine the details of the trees and flowers, using smaller brushes and more precise strokes.
step 08
Step back and assess the overall balance and harmony of the painting, making any necessary adjustments.

color palette

primary · yellow ochre · sap green · ultramarine blue · titanium white

secondary · cadmium red · burnt umber · violet

Mix greens by combining yellow ochre and ultramarine blue. Create muted pinks for the river by mixing cadmium red, titanium white, and a touch of violet. Use burnt umber to darken greens and create shadows.

techniques

·blocking in
·layering
·dry brush
·scumbling
·color mixing

common pitfalls

→Overworking the details in the foreground before establishing the background.
→Using colors that are too saturated, resulting in a flat and unrealistic appearance.
→Neglecting to create a sense of depth by using lighter colors in the distance and darker colors in the foreground.
→Failing to simplify the landscape into basic shapes and forms, resulting in a cluttered and confusing composition.

materials

surface · stretched canvas

required

·stretched canvas (12x16 inches)
·oil paints (yellow ochre, sap green, ultramarine blue, titanium white, cadmium red, burnt umber, violet)
·palette
·palette knife
·assorted brushes (round and flat)
·linseed oil
·turpentine or odorless mineral spirits